What is there to see and do in Poland? Do many Poles speak German?

Question

Because I don't speak Polish

Answer 1

Yes, many Poles do speak German! I have been to Poland many times (although I do speak Polish...I speak it poorly, but I speak it nonetheless). If you are in the bigger cities, it is easy to find a Pole to speak English with you even; in fact, as soon as some of those Poles find out that you speak English, they will probably beg to try out their English on you. If you go to the rural areas or speak with older people, they will be less likely to know English or German (depending on where exactly you are in Poland though). However, because you appear to know English by asking this question and because you know German, there is a good chance that you will be able to communicate with Poles when you need to.

Edit: And to the answerer below me, it is not true that Poles will dislike someone simply because they speak German. Speaking German doesn't mean that you are German! I am essentially fluent in German, but I am not a bit German! Also, most people in Europe can discuss wars in a civilized manner; they won't discriminate based on something that happened so long ago and whether your ancestors fought against them or such. For example, Russian is one of my native languages, and I spoke it with some Poles when I visited Poland. Soviet Russia has been in many conflicts with the various Polish Republics (borders have changed since, but it is essentially Poland), and no Poles said, "Oh, I will not speak with you because you know Russian, and the Russians fought with us in this or that war." In fact, most people in other nations appreciate it when someone knows more than just English; it shows that they don't think English is the only important language.

Answer 2

yes many poles speak German, they learn it in school, English too. and stuff to see in Poland is the castles. like Malbork, it's so creepy.
go to wikipedia, and look up Poland, they have pictures of various Polish cities
and as the person said above, poles not liking Germans, not true. we like Germans, well at least where i'm from people like Germans

Answer 3

Depending on how old the Polish person is they probably learned English in school. They did not teach it during the Cold War.
My husband is 42 and he had to learn German and Russian but NOT English; however his brother is 36 and learned English. So even in that difference of a few years things had changed in the country and so did the rules of education. Most young Poles today should know English.

Answer 4

There is loads and loads to do in Poland depends where you are going really . I think they do speak German but I don't think they like Germans very much considering they occupied their country and killed 20% of the population in the war so I would stick too English which is widely spoken.

Answer 5

Yeah, a lot, but english is more popular. I was born in Szczecin, so - v. close to Germant, but I don't speak german - it is essential when you work and live in szczecin, however I moved, so...i speak french and english..
I think that the german language's got the second place after english in Poland. Especially in western cities - you should have no problems...

Answer 6

our tour guide (who was about 45) was taught german in school in 5th grade. it's probably more common then english. there is a TON to do and see - which area are you visiting?! as a german i would say to his the Kaszupy mt. region -- it's really beautiful and some neat history.... there is a group - the Kaszup's - they were too German to be POlish and to Polish to be German. it's up hear Gdansk & Sopot!! we wen't up there and they have their own language - cross between German and Polish -- it was really something to see!!!

Enjoy and - when you're there - if you're touring - save your 1 zloty coins - you'll need them to use the restrooms!!!

Answer 7

alot of polish people do speak german and alot og kids learn it in school

Answer 8

tricky factor. try searching on to a search engine. that will can help!